Episode Info: unt Build a snowman - if you don't have snow where you live, build one out of playdough! Go ice skating Play with ice treasures  - fill each hole of an ice cube tray with a small button, bead, or prize item. Fill with water and freeze, then use spray bottles or other tools to "excavate" the treasures from the ice Learn the history behind Christmas traditions Why we put up trees Why we put up wreaths Why we put up stockings and exchange gifts Why we eat candy canes Why we eat gingerbread Why we sing Christmas carols The history of Santa Why we exchange Christmas cards Other seasonal favorites  Cut paper snowflakes to decorate the windows Make gingerbread men or houses Make homemade cocoa and cider Make a new puzzle together Play a new board game together Watch a new Christmas movie Learn a new Christmas song Read a new Christmas book Attend a Christmas program or event Here are my favorites sources for new ideas when making a new years' countdown: NourishingJoy.com has a completely service-oriented advent calendar KCEdventures.com and AdrielBooker.com both have superb exhaustive lists of several different types of activities that I refer to when I'm needing new inspiration I've found a number of nature or play-inspired ideas in the preschool curriculum we use, A Year of Playing Skillfully I pray you enjoy a blessed season with your kiddos! JAMIN RESPONDS: So many great ideas! I can't wait to watch this happen, knowing it's happening! FROM JAMIN: tldr: I Didn't Even Know This Happened Each Year! I knew we had a countdown, but I just thought it was a fun way to keep the kids from pestering us about how many days until Christmas.  I figured the boxes had candy or a little prizes in them. But, as usual, Wendy's been doing this amazing, awesome thing with the kids without needing any input from me.   I'm going to be paying attention this year and hopefully have more input next time around. This is a really cool set of ideas! WENDY RESPONDS: So funny, I didn't realize you didn't know. We will have fun including you this year ;-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M77YpZkZNbM...

Episode Info: unt Build a snowman - if you don't have snow where you live, build one out of playdough! Go ice skating Play with ice treasures  - fill each hole of an ice cube tray with a small button, bead, or prize item. Fill with water and freeze, then use spray bottles or other tools to "excavate" the treasures from the ice Learn the history behind Christmas traditions Why we put up trees Why we put up wreaths Why we put up stockings and exchange gifts Why we eat candy canes Why we eat gingerbread Why we sing Christmas carols The history of Santa Why we exchange Christmas cards Other seasonal favorites  Cut paper snowflakes to decorate the windows Make gingerbread men or houses Make homemade cocoa and cider Make a new puzzle together Play a new board game together Watch a new Christmas movie Learn a new Christmas song Read a new Christmas book Attend a Christmas program or event Here are my favorites sources for new ideas when making a new years' countdown: NourishingJoy.com has a completely service-oriented advent calendar KCEdventures.com and AdrielBooker.com both have superb exhaustive lists of several different types of activities that I refer to when I'm needing new inspiration I've found a number of nature or play-inspired ideas in the preschool curriculum we use, A Year of Playing Skillfully I pray you enjoy a blessed season with your kiddos! JAMIN RESPONDS: So many great ideas! I can't wait to watch this happen, knowing it's happening! FROM JAMIN: tldr: I Didn't Even Know This Happened Each Year! I knew we had a countdown, but I just thought it was a fun way to keep the kids from pestering us about how many days until Christmas.  I figured the boxes had candy or a little prizes in them. But, as usual, Wendy's been doing this amazing, awesome thing with the kids without needing any input from me.   I'm going to be paying attention this year and hopefully have more input next time around. This is a really cool set of ideas! WENDY RESPONDS: So funny, I didn't realize you didn't know. We will have fun including you this year ;-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M77YpZkZNbM...Read less